CVI at the Northern California Dance Camp, led by Briony a few years ago.
“One of the world’s leading proponents of collaborative vocal improvisation”
Dear Singers
I invite you to join me for a new-year weekend of deep diving into Collaborative Vocal Improvisation. This is a weekend for all experience levels; I trust that the more experienced folks will bring the newer folks along in our flow; and we’ll all hold each other in kindness.
CVI is a wonderful artform of improvising vocal music together with others in the moment. It’s thrilling and fun and challenging and can deeply connect us to ourselves, one another, and our surroundings.
Here is a video about my teaching if you are new to this.
We’ll warm ourselves up, do some forms to lead us in, and then play play play, with duet, 4 and 5 person forms (weather permitting), improvising with language, possibly some supported solos, a little Resonant Body work and some yummy CVI sound healing for the midwinter.
Each day, arrive from 10am for a 10.30 start
Bring your own lunch and snacks (there’s a full kitchen there - we’ll have 1h for lunch).
We’ll be done by 4.45 for a 5pm departure.
Full price: $305
Bursary price - 3 places $205
Assistant price - 2 places $105
Staying Over
There is a dorm above the barn where folks can stay for a donation to the barn. Joan Hanna says: also if anyone wishes to stay, they can make a donation to the barn. Others will benefit. May all beings be happy! and free of suffering.
There is a full kitchen in the garage by the barn, a shower, and heating everywhere. There are 7 foam single mattresses and tumbling mats could be doubled up. There is a parking lot before the barn, and beach access.
Briony Greenhill is “one of the world’s leading proponents of collaborative vocal improvisation (CVI)” - The Guardian.
CVI is the art of co-creating vocal music in the moment. Here is a short film about Briony’s teaching. Briony is in the lineage of Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, Joey Blake and others, and holds the transformational aspects of the art form with skill and care.
Briony is a co-founder of The Well Global Vocal Improvisation Network, and the UK Vocal Improvisation Festival.
She has released 4 entirely improvised albums. Her debut studio album took improvisations and reproduced them adding instrumentation in the studio. Crossing the Ocean featured in The Guardian, Mojo, Radio 3, Woman’s Hour and more.
Briony teaches vocal musicianship from beginner to advanced levels, while also honouring the spiritual, ritual and therapeutic application of CVI. She is a qualified SomaSource Leader; a “psycho-spiritual educator, artist, activist and healer who has an integrated understanding of how to creatively work in developmentally attuned ways with diverse people throughout life’s cycles.” You can read more about Briony’s teaching values, Vocal Musicianship Trainings, and a history of vocal improvisation in the American tradition here.
Students have said:
“One of the most powerful experiences of my life! I feel changed on a cellular level!” (ok it was a 4 day retreat not a weekend…)
“Briony really made us all feel at home – starting off with exercises that didn’t force me outside of my comfort zone, and a no judgement pact, really allowed me to feel comfortable with the group, which then gave me the confidence to try out some solos.”
“It was seriously fun, crazy, inspiring, opening and meditative, all at the same time.”
“Some singing teachers teach you sing with your voice. Briony teaches you to sing with your heart and sing from your soul.”
“You made it feel like a womb. Protected, loved, nourished, warm and holding.”
Please direct questions to info@brionygreenhill.com.